The recall was necessitated by Eric Staal taking a leave of absence yesterday. While Samson won’t be expected to directly fill Staal’s shoes on a scoring line – that responsibility is more likely to fall to Zach Boychuk or Jiri Tlusty, if it goes to any of the youngsters – he will nonetheless make his NHL debut tonight at Nashville.

The recall is a long time coming for Samson, 22, who currently leads the Albany River Rats in goals (13), assists (17) and points (30) through 38 games. Despite finishing the previous season tied for the Rats’ scoring lead with 54 points in 70 games, the undrafted free-agent signing out of the Quebec junior league has yet to see his name called while more highly-touted prospects like Boychuk, Tlusty and Brandon Sutter got the call instead.